While the report represents a projection, much can change in the next decade. Even so, this report is key to help the heads of colleges and universities across the state plan for the future, one that's very much driven by the economy.

The University System of Maryland is keeping a close watch on how fast schools are growing this year and over the next decade. For starters, the state expects a 17 percent increase in undergraduate and graduate student enrollment.

Helping to push up those numbers are schools like Towson University, which is also set to grow at about 17 percent over the next 10 years, which comes as no surprise to some students.

"There are a lot more buildings and a lot more updates to the buildings that we have on campus. I know, every year, roommate (and I) would have to take a tour just to see all the new places every year before school started," said Jasmine Davis, a Towson student.

Towson's president, Maravene Loeschke, said that calls for much long-range planning.

"What you do is you look carefully to make sure you have enough faculty projected, particularly in those departments where you know the growth is going to be. The healthcare profession is very large. In particular, business is large," she said.

Some of the state's smaller schools, like Coppin State University in Baltimore City, are making plans for a 30-percent increase in student enrollment. There's evidence that the University of Baltimore is also making room to grow by at least 37 percent. With that kind of growth, schools will have to deal with critical issues like student housing.

"I've met a lot of freshman this year who are living off campus, like in the (Colony apartments), a lot of places that are not in the towers that freshman should be living in them," said Liza Saffos, a Towson student.

As a result, school officials said building new housing has become one of their top priorities.

The state said it's expecting its largest increase among part-time students. The report is scheduled to be reviewed by the USM Board of Regents on Thursday.

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